Joe Woods

9.0

I think it is very good maybe better than 1885 — 11 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Alpine Roots Humagne Rouge 2023, AOC Valais, Switzerland 🇨🇭

Overview
100% Humagne Rouge, an indigenous Alpine variety from the Valais region of Switzerland. Grown in steep mountain vineyards with strong sun exposure and cool alpine influence. A terroir-driven wine that reflects the purity, freshness, and rustic charm of Swiss mountain viticulture.

Aromas & Flavors
Wild dark berries, red currant, cocoa powder, subtle dried herbs, and a touch of alpine earthiness. The fruit remains fresh while savory tones begin to emerge with air.

Mouthfeel
Light to medium body with soft edges and refined rusticity. Gentle tannins and bright acidity keep the wine lively and approachable. A textured palate that leans savory rather than fruit-heavy.

Food Pairings
Charcuterie, roasted poultry, mushroom dishes, alpine cheeses, lamb sausages, or herb-driven Mediterranean dishes.

Verdict
Distinctive and surprisingly charming. A wine that doesn’t try to imitate global varieties but instead celebrates its mountain identity. Approachable, food-friendly, and quietly intriguing.

Did You Know?
Humagne Rouge is native to the Swiss Alps and thrives in the steep terraces of Valais, where intense sunlight and cool mountain nights help maintain freshness and aromatic clarity.

🍷 Personal Pick
A wonderful curveball wine. Rustic, cocoa-tinged, and incredibly food friendly, the kind of bottle that makes people ask, “Wait… Switzerland makes wine?” — 8 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

‘Las Alturas' Spanish for 'the heights', a fitting name, this vineyard located on one of the highest grape-growing benches in the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. 4th gen Winemaker Joseph J. Wagner from family with farming & winemaking roots in Napa since 1906. Met Joe several times. Deep Ruby (darkest Pinot I have come across). Nice berry and floral spice aromas. Rich cherry/plum flavors with oak, spice and vanilla. Long finish, bold ending with sweet oak notes. Very Nice! A Fav! — 3 years ago

Jay Kline

9.2

My fair and humble State is very fortunate to get what we get but when it comes to Azienda Agricola Montevertine, we often get plenty of the eponymous Montevertine and even our fair share of Pergole Torte. However, when it comes to Pian del Ciampolo, we seem to get slighted. Maybe the restaurants hoard it all? Anyway, I was able to get my hands on this one without much effort and I’m so happy I did.

Popped and poured; consumed over two days. Delightful on both. Th enable is slightly different for the 2019 vintage in order to celebrate what would have been Sergio Manetti's 100th birthday. The wine pours a beautiful ruby color, medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is intense and complex with crushed raspberries, cherry, pomegranate, cranberry, bergamot, dried herbs, dusty earth, wet stone. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin, medium+ acid and confirmed the tart red fruits, dried herbs, orange citrus, and earth. Long satisfying finish that is somewhat savory. It does seem to gain just a little weight on Day 2 which was, for this palate, well received. A lovely, and classic example of Chianti Classico (though it’s not labeled as such). Killer with food yet lovely on its own as well. Drink now and over the next 10 years. — 5 years ago

R. David Liebers

9.0

Pleasant aroma, fruity on the tongue with a dry finish. — 6 years ago

Dave

8.9

This is an odd duck. Napa Cabernet but it tastes like a Merlot-heavy blend. Light bodied and blue fruit.
Listening to Johnny Cash. On this day in 1944 Johnny lost his older brother Jack. — 5 months ago

Amy Hill

8.9

Very nice Cabernet with a rich dark color. Black cherry with notes of tobacco and cassis. Nice tannin structure. Great sipping wine! — 2 years ago

Jeff Thompson

8.9

2022 with Debbie on May 6,2024 — 2 years ago

Carl Camp

9.0

Very dark. Needs to breathe, then very good. — 3 years ago

Scott Strickler

9.5

Dark fruits and well balanced tannins highlight this excellent wine. More in the medium to full body Pinot noir‘s which I prefer  — 5 years ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.1

2016 vintage. One of the best wines to be found under the humble "Bordeaux Supérieur" appellation. Very elegant with bright crisp red fruit and a minty freshness. Impeccable balance and very good length. As always very reliable. Highly recommended. — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Winemaker Joseph J. Wagner is a 4th generation winemaker from a family with farming and winemaking roots in the Napa Valley since 1906. Met Joe several times. Deep Ruby with red berry fruit aromas and sweet spice notes. On the palate flavors of raspberry and ripe blackberry with sweet oak, cacao and espresso notes. Soft fine tannins perfect acidity and balance long finish ending with mineral character. Nice! A Fav! — 6 years ago

Joe Weinberger

9.0

Second bottle of this in as many weeks. This one was quite different than the first. Definitely a lot of VA in this one. Strong acetone smell for about the first 15 minutes but most of it eventually blew off. Less fruit-forward than the last bottle. — 7 years ago

David Smisek

9.1

04/10/27 $9. Total wine. Worked perfectly with steak. Enjoyed. No. Aftertaste. Light pepper worked great. Worth it for price. — 6 months ago

Jae Cho

9.1

Black cherries for days within a tobacco/black tea vanilla that has integrated in due time. Dark and deep mountain fruit. It reminds me how much even humble aged Napa can reward. — 2 years ago

Ted

8.9

Last wine of the trip. Earth and ripe fruit. — 3 years ago

with Jeni

Katie Forman

9.1

Dry with a little pepper and fruit! Pretty good! — 4 years ago

Eric Peterson

9.5

One the nose: vanilla, nutmeg, black cherry and tobacco.
Taste: red fruits, oak finish.
Good with or without food — 5 years ago

Janette Johanna Välimäki

9.8

Keltaluumuisen makuinen, puolikuiva tai jopa vähän makeahko. Oikein maukas!! — 6 years ago

Eric Peterson

10

It’s almost velvety with a fruit notes — 7 years ago